Seven-year-old Abdiqadir was hit in a US airstrike. Without a $750 operation, he may lose his ability to walk

A Seven-Year-Old Boy's Fight for Survival After a US Airstrike in Somalia

Seven year old Abdiqadir was hit - In the heart of Somalia’s conflict-ridden terrain, a seven-year-old boy named Abdiqadir Salah is fighting for his ability to walk. The child, struck by shrapnel during a US airstrike on November 15, 2025, requires an emergency operation costing £750 to prevent permanent disability. However, his family, already stretched thin by the aftermath of the attack, cannot afford the treatment, leaving them in a desperate struggle to secure the necessary funds.

The Airstrike and Its Aftermath

The strike, which occurred in the town of Jamaame, resulted in the deaths of at least 12 civilians, including eight children. Abdiqadir, who was playing outside his family home when the missile hit, suffered injuries that left shrapnel embedded in two locations: his back and upper thigh. His mother, Marian Haji Abdi Guled, recounted the chaos that unfolded during the attack. “That’s where three of my children got wounded. All three of them were laying on the ground covered in blood,” she said, her voice trembling with recollection.

“When I tried to tend to them, shells began falling everywhere. Every step you took, or direction you turned, there were shells and missiles raining everywhere,” Guled added. “There was no warning before the strikes but we could [hear] drones hovering above town before the strikes. It was very loud.”

Despite the warning sounds of drones, the family had no time to react. The attack, part of a joint US-Somali operation led by Africa Command, devastated the area, leaving the family to flee into the countryside. Guled’s eldest child, Mohamed, 16, sustained shrapnel in his fingers, while her 14-year-old daughter, Sumaya, suffered three metal fragments in her head—later removed in a critical procedure. Abdiqadir’s condition, however, remains urgent, with X-rays revealing shrapnel still lodged near his hip socket, a result of the missile entering his lower back.

The Family's Struggle

For Guled, the journey to Mogadishu has been a test of endurance. After borrowing money for a two-day trek covering 40 miles, she brought Abdiqadir and his sister to the capital, where they hope to receive treatment. “My oldest still has shrapnel lodged in his body but I left him back in Jamaame because I couldn’t afford to take him to Mogadishu,” she explained. “I took the younger ones instead. During the two nights and two days to reach Mogadishu, we couldn’t even eat anything. All I thought about was saving my children.”

Now in Mogadishu, Abdiqadir’s condition has worsened. Doctors at Kaafi hospital, located in central Mogadishu, emphasized the need for immediate surgery. “They [doctors] told me if the shrapnel isn’t removed from his body, it could affect his ability to continue walking,” Guled said, her frustration evident. “But I don’t have £750 needed for the operation to remove the shrapnel from my son’s body. What’s worse than being a mother who can’t do anything for her wounded children?”

The family’s financial strain is compounded by the cost of living in the capital. Renting accommodation in Mogadishu alone requires nearly £190 per month, a burden that makes saving for the operation nearly impossible. Guled’s husband, left behind in Jamaame to protect their crops from wild animals, has no means to join them, further isolating the family in their plight.

US Policy and Legal Framework

While the US military claims the airstrike was a targeted operation, it has refused to acknowledge civilian casualties. This stance has drawn criticism from local communities and international observers, who argue that the lack of transparency underscores a broader pattern of accountability evasion. The strike, which took place six months prior, is now being scrutinized as part of a Guardian investigation into US intelligence practices and target selection in the region.

The incident raises critical questions about the US’s approach to civilian protection. During the Trump administration, the Pentagon quietly eliminated a legal requirement mandating measures to prevent and respond to civilian deaths. This change has left families like Guled’s without recourse, forcing them to rely on borrowed funds and charitable support. “I don’t know where the money [for the operation] will come from,” Guled said, highlighting the vulnerability of civilians in US-led military campaigns.

Some witnesses suggest the attack may have been more complex than initially reported. While the US claims the strike was precise, the presence of shrapnel in areas where children were clearly visible raises doubts about the accuracy of targeting. The joint operation with Somali ground forces implies collaboration, yet the casualties—many of whom were children—point to a potential disconnect between military objectives and civilian safety. This inconsistency has fueled calls for greater oversight and compensation for those affected.

Legacy of US Involvement in Somalia

The November 2025 strike marks the deadliest civilian incident in Somalia during the Trump administration. It also stands as one of the worst in recent memory, echoing the chaos of the 1993 Black Hawk Down operation in Mogadishu. The current attack, however, highlights a new chapter in US military strategy, where drone strikes and airstrikes have become a dominant tool. Yet, the toll on innocent lives remains stark, with Abdiqadir’s case serving as a poignant reminder of the human cost.

As Abdiqadir’s family waits for a solution, the question of justice looms large. The US has yet to provide compensation to any Somali civilians injured or killed in airstrikes, despite the significant damage caused. For Guled, the struggle is not just about her son’s survival but also about the right of families to seek redress. “We are living in fear every day,” she said, reflecting on the ongoing uncertainty. “We hope the world remembers us and our children.”

The incident has sparked renewed debate about the ethics of US military actions in Somalia. While the government insists on the necessity of such strikes to combat militant groups like al-Shabaab, the human toll continues to mount. Abdiqadir’s case, among many others, underscores the urgent need for policies that prioritize civilian safety and provide financial support to those left behind. Until then, his family’s battle for survival will remain a testament to the resilience of those caught in the crossfire of global conflicts.